Ninjutsu (忍術) is a form of martial arts centered around unconventional warfare, espionage and assassination that is purportedly practiced by the shinobi (commonly known outside of Japan as ninja).
Description[]
More an art of tricks than an actual martial art, Ninjutsu included methods of unarmed combat (体術 Taijutsu; literally meaning "body skill" or "body art"), methods of combat with weapons (Katana, Wakizashi, Bō, Naginata), many of which began as improvised weapons or farm implements (Kusarigama, Kunai, Shuriken etc.); methods of gathering information; and techniques of non-detection, avoidance, and misdirection. Ninjutsu can also involve training in free running, swimming, climbing, disguise, escape, concealment, and medicine.
Superhuman or supernatural powers were often associated with the ninja. Some legends include flight, invisibility, shapeshifting, the ability to "split" into multiple bodies, the summoning of animals, and control over the five classical elements. These fabulous notions have stemmed from popular imagination regarding the ninja's mysterious status.
In the Tekken series[]
Manji Style Ninjutsu (卍忍術)[]
A fictional style of Ninjutsu praticed by Manji Clan members Yoshimitsu and Kunimitsu. This style reflects many of the modern-time stereotypes associated with the fictional ninja, including flashy moves, impossible spins, weird stances, and supernatural-type moves like Yoshimitsu's teleport and Kunimitsu's fire breath. Notably, this style involves use of various weapons: Yoshimitsu's Katana and Wakizashi, and Kunimitsu's Kunai.
Raven's and Master Raven's Ninjutsu[]
Even though Raven and Master Raven sport a fair number of supernatural moves too, like some teleportation moves and "shadow clones", their style of Ninjutsu is designed to be much more similar to the traditional, real-life Ninjutsu than its Manji counterpart.
Practitioners[]
- Yoshimitsu
- Kunimitsu
- Kunimitsu II
- Raven
- Master Raven
- Mokujin - Through mimicry.
- Tetsujin - Through mimicry.
- Combot - Tekken 4 only; through mimicry.
- Unknown - Tekken Tag Tournament only; through mimicry.
Non-playable[]
- Kinjin - Through mimicry.
- Kunimitsu's unnamed husband
Trivia[]
- The United Nations have "Raven" class reconnaissance agents dedicated to Ninjutsu, of which Raven and Master Raven are members.
- As well as the Manji Clan, unaligned shinobi also exist in the Tekken series, which include Kunimitsu, her daughter, her husband, and possibly her grandfather, who was a swordsmith aquainted with Yoshimitsu's legendary blade.
External Links[]
- Ninjutsu at Wikipedia.